Dungeons and Dragons 3.0/3.5 question?

Question

D+D 3.0/3.5 question...?
How does one calculate ranged and melee touch attacks? I know how to calculate the AC, but what about the attack?

As an example, a level 1 human sorcerer attacks a goblin with a ray of frost that requires a successful ranged touch attack. What modifies his attack roll? Are there different modifiers for ranged attack?

PHBs for 3.0 and 3.5 and the DMG for both 3.0 and 3.5 don't really go into much depth.

Also, how do you know from a spell's description if it requires a successful touch attack? Is there any kind of pattern to spells which require it?

Thanks for reading and helping a DM out!

Additional Details
Some spells require a successful ranged touch attack in Dungeons and Dragons. I'm looking for more information on how to calculate. A 1st-level human fighter with 16 strength, for example, rolls a d20 and adds 4 to the roll: 3 for the strength and 1 for the base attack bonus that any 1st level fighter gets. So, I'm curious if you apply a base attack bonus and dexterity? Intellegence? Wisdom? Striking good lucks?

That's what I'm asking.

Answer 1

a touche attack is added up the same way a regualr attack is. same with a ranged touch.. the difference is NOT in how you calculate teh attack, but what froms of defense it ignores.



the PHB DMG and MM actually DO go into depth as to what a touch and ranged touch are.





SO a touche attack is teh same as a melee attack,



a ranged touch is teh same as a ranged attack.



the only difference is the defenses againts them.



If you know how to do a regualr melee attack or a regular ranged attack, you can do the touch version pretty easily.



yes teh spell itself in teh descirption will say "ranged touch" somewhere in teh descirtpi and teh area of effect will say 'ray'





to say it one last time.

a touch attack is the same as a melee attack.

A ranged touch attack is the same as a ranged attack.



the difference between the two types of attacks are strictly in teh oppoennts AC,



SO IE touch attack and ranged touch attack is D20+ Base attack Bonus+ ability modifier ( str for touch, dex for ranged) + any other relative bonus (i.e flat footed, weapon focus etc)

Answer 2

Your bonus for making a ranged touch attack is exactly the same a a ranged non-touch attack.



Example 1: 1st level Sorcerer with 16 dexterity - 0 Base attack, +3 dexterity = ranged attack modifier of +3. This +3 is used no matter if it's a spell or a weapon. If it calls for a ranged attack this is what is used.



Example 2: 1st level Sorcerer with 12 strength - 0 Base attack, +1 strength = melee attack modifier of +1. Regardless of if it is a club or a touch attack this is what's used for melee attacks.

Answer 3

You apply strength for melee touch attacks, and dexterity with ranged touch attacks. Note that the 'ally in melee' -4 penalty applies to ranged touch attacks. A wizard/sorcerer with a lot of ray spells is encouraged to pick up Precise Shot to negate it. You can also get Weapon Focus(Ray) to modify the roll.



Read the spell description to determine if it needs one. The kind of attack needed is usually within the first line of the description.

Answer 4

A melee attack is 1d20+(your base attack bonus+Strength modifier).

A ranged attack is 1d20+(your base attack bonus+Dexterity modifier).



A touch attack ignores the enemy's armor and natural armor, so you subtract the armor value from their Armor Class (the monster manual gives you the value needed in the monster's AC listing), then roll a regular melee or ranged attack to hit the altered AC.



Spells always indicate what kind of attack roll is required to hit in the text.



I hope that helped!

Answer 5

This question makes no sense.